“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” ~Hal Borland
We’ve had some interesting weather here in Kentucky this winter and spring. February was unseasonably warm and springlike. No snow. Days that made a person think it was time to plant gardens. And then March came calling. The first day of March was gorgeous, one of those gifts while the calendar claims it is still winter. But then it was as if winter remembered that it hadn’t gotten its fair share of days and many days in March crept back toward winter. Cold. Wind chill days.
No fun at all when we were all so ready for spring and had already tasted days of warmer weather in February. The birds were singing their spring songs. Flowers were pushing up out of the ground. Trees were blooming. Then frosts came and turned the blooms on the trees brown and warned the flowers they better slow down. But the birds kept on singing. Maybe not quite as enthusiastically on those very cold mornings, but the songs were still there.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. …Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJ)
Sometimes we go through seasons in our lives something like this spring season has been here in Kentucky and in other areas of the nation. Up and down. Warm and cold. Struggles and triumphs. Joy and sorrow.
“When you accept the fact that sometimes seasons are dry and times are hard and that God is in control of both, you will discover a sense of divine refuge, because the hope then is in God and not in yourself.” – Charles R. Swindoll
Blue Phlox
“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.“ ~Marty Rubin
Most of us have an easy time of rejoicing when we are on the mountaintops of good fortune the same as a beautiful sunshiny spring day can keep the smiles on our faces. But what happens when the cold and rain and even snow tries to smother out our spring? Hardships of life can throw clouds over us at times, but if we have deep roots of faith, we can make it through those valleys of discouragement or trouble. We can abide in the love of the Lord.
“The seasons change and you change, but the Lord abides evermore the same, and the streams of His love are as deep, as broad and as full as ever.” — Charles H. Spurgeon
Here’s a little devotional story from an unknown source I put in our church bulletin this morning.
And It Came to Pass
There is an old story about a man with a very cheerful, happy countenance in spite of the fact that his life was filled with trouble and tragedy. Those in his community couldn’t understand it and one day someone asked him how he could be stay so cheerful. The old man replied, “I get it out of the Bible.”
“What do you mean, you get it out of the Bible?” the person asked.
“Over and over in the Bible I see the words, ‘And it came to pass,’ but never do I find ‘And it came to stay.’ This keeps me moving,” the man said.
What does this say to us? We all face grief and losses in life that we have to accept. But on the other end of the spectrum of sorrow is the rainbow. That rainbow is there because God is here and never leaves us. Trouble might not stay, but the Lord does. He is with us through it all.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. …Joshua 1:9 (NKJ)
Comments 12
Author
Connie, Sarah, and Karen. I’m so glad you liked reading my 1st Sunday devotional and the flower pictures too. Someday I may gather my 1st Sunday devotionals into a book.
I always enjoy your first Sunday devotional! Thank you for taking time out of your busy life to share your faith.
Thank You for sharing
Very thoughtful words, thanks for posting them and your lovely flower pictures.
Such true words. When a new trial hits, I try to remember to make my prayers still thankful and to say to God, “Lord, wether this trial is for my growth or the growth of those around me, help me to handle it with grace.” All glory be to God in all things.
Thank you for such a beautiful post, Ann.
Author
You have a great attitude, Janette. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember how the Bible tells us to be thankful in all things. Nobody welcomes trials, but when you can handle them with grace it is glory to God in all things.
Wonderful devotional, Ann. A great reminder to always think positive. My grandfather would always tell me to look for the silver lining, because every rain cloud in life has one. And that verse from Ecclesiastes was the first verse he had me memorize as a child. So not only did you share a great springtime devotion, you also took me down memory lane with my Papaw this morning.
Have a wonderfully blessed week! Enjoy this beautiful spring weather. 🙂
Author
Sounds as if you have a wonderful Papaw, Lavon. That is a blessing. He taught you early to have that positive outlook. So glad you enjoyed my 1st sunday devotional.
This was a lovely devotion but I will definitely remember the gentleman’s positive attitude. So thankful that our troubles do not stay! May you have a blessed Easter!
Author
I’m sure for many who do face hardships it can be difficult to hold onto that kind of positive attitude, but for those who can, it is surely a blessing, Connie.
I like that.
And it came to pass…
Thank you for this, Ann.I think it will stick with me.
Author
You’ve certainly had some of those “it came to pass” moments, Lisa. So glad you were able to fight through those tough times.